7.5 inch (19cm) Loopstick Radiwow R-108 Model Demo

An upgrade Medium Wave (AM) loopstick makes a huge difference in the AM-DXing sensitivity of this economy model from China's XHDATA (a.k.a. Radiwow and Sihuadon) company, boosting a daytime DX fringe station from inaudible up to about S6-- along with another distant co-channel on the same frequency.

[@AlexeyDXman]

Good result for daytime DXing!

[@mwdx8751]

👍👍👍 great work 👍👍👍

[@DXerGary]

Thank you!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great video! I love the design of the antenna. I have a R-108 I dropped and only works when attached to a charger. I think it’s time to perform surgery on it, try to fix the battery power issue and mod that antenna!

[@DXerGary]

Thanks Walt, good luck in restoring your R-108 to full capability! The model wouldn't be my first choice for a Hawaii trip, but it does have some good FM and AIR band performance, so not bad for $50.

[@paul.steckler]

How does the loopstick compare with something like the Tecsun AN-200 external loop antenna?

[@DXerGary]

Since I don't have an AN-200 it's hard to be accurate, but I think that the overall gain would be similar. A stock R-108 with a small FSL would beat out the 7.5" loopstick R-108, but the small FSL also beats out the Terk Advantage, similar to the AN-200. The 7.5" loopstick R-108 is very convenient for travel DXing, though, since you don't need to do double tuning with an external loop. You just pick it up and chase enhanced DX.

[@pe1etr]

There is certainly a big difference although the R-108 seems to generate a lot of noise.

[@DXerGary]

Actually Peter, the R-108 wouldn't be my first choice for AM-DXing, mainly because of the wimpy battery, the scratchy volume control and the dodgy warranty. The audio amp also wimps out on very weak stations, making you wish for more volume.

[@billscow]

French station??

[@FRLAZone2018]

it's fringe not french